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52 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
Claus vs. Frost: Who's Coming to Town This Year?, November 4, 2006
Film trilogies are funny things; most of the time, each additional chapter is made to be better than its predecessor, introducing new characters, events, and locations to keep the basic storyline fresh and entertaining. I'm not sure if I can say the same for the "Santa Clause" films; in watching the original film and its two sequels, I never felt that the new outdid the old. Rather, I felt as if the new represented a natural progression that didn't overshadow or upstage the old. I liked this because it resulted in films that were unique while remaining true to the underlying idea at the same time. It also resulted in undeniably charming films that reiterated well-established yet important family oriented messages. "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause" is not the most original Christmas film ever made, but for the final chapter of a trilogy, it's delightful just the same.
The people behind all three films have done a wonderful job of creating the world of Santa Claus, a world that's surprisingly regimented behind a facade of bright, colorful merrymaking. Some very stern rules have been introduced over the course of the trilogy, ones that were clearly outlined in the North Pole's contractual clauses. In 1994, we learned of the first clause, which stated that anyone who puts on Santa's red coat must assume the role. This is exactly what happened to Scott Calvin (Tim Allen); he accidentally kills Santa by startling him off of the roof, after which Calvin's son, Charlie (Eric Lloyd), convinces him to wear the coat. He's then transformed from a workaholic father to Old Saint Nick. In 2002, we learned of the second clause, which stated that Santa had to get married if he wanted his magical abilities to remain. He ultimately falls in love with and weds Charlie's high school principal, Carol (Elizabeth Mitchell).
In the tradition of the first two films, "The Escape Clause" introduces a new contractual clause that becomes the main focus of the plot. Apparently, there's a way for the current Santa to release himself from the responsibilities of delivering Christmas to the world: it's called the Escape Clause, which can only be carried out by holding a special snow globe and saying something to the effect of, "I wish I had never become Santa." Hoping to take control of the North Pole and Christmas, Jack Frost (Martin Short)--the mythological bringer of winter--tricks Calvin into doing this. Here's a character that's both literally and figuratively cold-hearted. He's tired of being an unrecognized holiday figure; he wants the kind of admiration and respect that Santa gets. He's especially attracted to the idea of being commercially immortalized with TV specials, stamps, soda bottles, and postcards.
So he devises a plan, one that involves subtle manipulation and carefully orchestrated actions. He wanders around the main factory, casually destroying vital pieces of equipment. It's all an attempt to make Calvin look bad, not just in the eyes of his wife (who's about ready to give birth to their first child), but in the eyes of his family, as well, all of who are visiting. It doesn't help that the new head elf, Curtis (Spencer Breslin), is putting extra strain on Calvin, in turn making quality time with his wife harder to find. Adding insult to injury, Calvin took great pains to bring Carol's parents--Sylvia (Ann-Margret) and Bud Newman (Alan Arkin)--up to the North Pole (unconvincingly disguised as Canada for the occasion). Every foul up puts a wedge between the family members, and it's enough to make Calvin reconsider the life he's chosen for himself and his wife.
What he doesn't realize is that this is exactly what Frost was hoping would happen. And by the time Calvin utters his wish, it's too late; the Escape Clause has taken effect. Both he and Frost are sent back to 1994, specifically to the moment when the previous Santa falls off of Calvin's roof. Frost quickly dons the red coat, and a change in the timeline is set into motion. Returning to 2006, Calvin quickly realizes that he's remained the emotionally distant workaholic he started out as; his relationship with Laura (Wendy Crewson) is worse than ever, and when it comes to his son, it's most likely beyond repair. Neil (Judge Reinhold) is resentful for having to pick up the pieces and for his eventual divorce with Laura. Carol is completely out of the picture, having supposedly moved away to "terrify a new group of kids."
But something even worse has happened to the North Pole; Frost has turned it into a completely hollow, commercially dependent vacation resort for the public, complete with live stage shows, unnecessary merchandising, and an overcrowded reindeer petting zoo (the briefest shot of those loveable animatronic figures in agony is surprisingly depressing). The elves are reduced to walking around and waving to the guests like cartoon characters in a theme park. Parents and children aren't enjoying themselves so much as they're fighting, each demanding to be given yet another North Pole doodad. This understandably doesn't sit well with Calvin, and he's determined to make things right again. The question is whether or not he'll succeed.
Then again, that may not be the question; remember that this is a kid's film, and kids films are notoriously formulaic. I think the real question is whether or not Calvin will succeed in under one hundred minutes; maybe he'll be sidetracked by something along the way. But in the end, it really doesn't matter. The film's heart is in the right place (as it was in the previous two films), and for me, that made the experience worthwhile. There's quite a bit to love about such Christmas films, especially when it comes to wacky, imaginative settings. "The Escape Clause" is certainly no exception; the North Pole is filled to the brim with pure creativity, from the whimsical sets to the bold costumes to the one-of-a-kind characters, all of which have returned (with the notable and disappointing exception of Bernard, played by David Krumholtz).
Of all the characters, I was particularly fond of Lucy Miller (Liliana Mumy), introduced in the second film as Neil and Laura's daughter. For this film, she's given special significance, and it allows her to play a more important role in the story. On top of that, she's so sweet and innocent that you just can't watch her without melting. Maybe the filmmakers expanded her character because she's older and more mature; I obviously don't know for sure. What I do know is that she suited such a classic story perfectly, as did everyone else in this film. Yes, "The Escape Clause" is a fairly routine holiday film, but when surrounded by such happiness and positive ideas, I didn't really care. I'm glad I saw this film, and if you have a soft spot for the Christmas season, then you too will be glad you saw it.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Santa Faces a Third Clause, November 20, 2007
Christmas is coming, and things are busier then ever at the North Pole. Not only does Scott Calvin, aka Santa (Tim Allen), have to get ready to deliver toys all over the world, but his wife Carol (Elizabeth Mitchell) is getting ready for a delivery of her own.
She is also missing her family. So Scott decides to invite her parents (Alan Arkin and Ann-Margret) to visit for the holiday. Scott's ex-wife and her family also manage to get an invitation as well. But the visiting family only adds to the stress load.
But that's the last of Scott's problems. Jack Frost (Martin Short) feels left out. He wants his own big holiday, not just to be the front-runner of the big red guy. When he is almost tossed from the Society of Enchanted Beings, he talks Scott into letting him help get everything ready for the big day.
Unfortunately, Jack's real mission is to sabotage Santa's job and learn the secret of the escape clause. If he can do that, he'll take over the role of Santa and leave Scott with nothing. Will he succeed?
I love the first film in the series and enjoy the second. This one is just as enjoyable. Yes, the story is predictable, but it is entertaining and heartwarming. I felt like cheering at the end.
And the actors continue to do a great job. The entire cast from the first two movies is back, with one noticeable exception. David Krumholtz wasn't able to return as Bernard. While his character was missed, it didn't hurt the film too much.
There is lots to laugh at in this movie. There are lots of great puns on the word elf and some great visual gags as well. Unfortunately, the Canadian jokes (they pretend to be Canadian for the in-laws), do where thin fast, eh? I especially enjoyed the way they worked bits of the first film into this one.
Is this the magical classic the first one was? Nope. Is it still an entertaining Christmas movie? You'd better believe it.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
"I Wish I Was Never Santa Claus" ~ Me Too!, November 29, 2007
You can only go to the same well so many times before you finally come up empty. That's definitely the case in the latest, and hopefully last, installment of the Santa Claus film saga. All the magic, cleverness and humor that pervaded the first film and large segments of the second are nowhere to be found in this one. I cannot recall a single laugh, or memorable moment in this film. That's pretty bad when you have comedians the caliber of Tim Allen and Martin Short and can't generate some humor.
Obviously something is horribly wrong. I will say that Martin Short gave it a valiant try to entertain. His on-screen persona and innate ability for physical comedy almost succeeds on several occasions, but the inept dialogue blocks his chances for success at every opportunity.
My Rating: I'm sure there'll be enough little kids out there that will make this financial success but if you're older than 10 I suggest you pass, -2 Stars-.
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